“No.”
“You don’t even know what I want.”
“It doesn’t matter, you’re not getting anything.”
“I bet you don’t tell your little boyfriend that.”
“He’s not my— just shut up or tell me what I want to know.”
“Oooh did I touch a nerve?”
I can’t let him see he’s upsetting me. I focus and force my face into an emotionless stare. “Not at all.”
“Well, are you curious?”
“About what?”
“About what it is that I want.”
“No, I’m not. You won’t be getting anything, so there’s no reason to be curious. There will be no negotiations.”
“Oh, come on now. I know you want to know. It’s driving you mad.” This time it is my turn to laugh. ”What’s so funny sweetheart?”
“You. You think you can actually affect me. The truth is, I couldn’t care less. You’re nothing, just a mere means to an end.”
Nyrell scowls at me for a while before a wicked smile takes its place. “Maybe you couldn’t care less about me, but what about your friends?”
“You think you can intimidate me by threatening my friends? You’re trapped, there’s nothing you can do to any of them.”
“Are you so sure of that Sweetheart? There’s not one of your friends who may have been off of their game because of a broken heart? Someone who was humiliated?”
Will. He’s done something to Will. I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to remain calm, but Will is in danger, and it’s my fault. I don’t have time to wait for Aeryn. “What did you do to him?”
Nyrell laughs. “What do I get in return for this information?”
“You get to live. Tell me, or I’ll kill you.”
“You won’t kill me, sweetheart, you’re not capable. Besides, you need me alive. Your boyfriend wants me alive.”
“You don’t know me, or what I’m capable of. And I don’t see him anywhere, do you?”
Nyrell squeals with excitement. “Maybe I was wrong about you. You do have the darkness inside.”
I feel the fire growing inside me. My veins glow, and golden light sparks from my hands. “Would you like to see just how dark I can get?”
“Yes sweetheart, that is exactly what I would like to see.”
“Then tell me where Will is.”
“Oh, I see what you did there, and just because you’re so adorable with your little sparks, I’ll tell you. He’s at home, safe and sound.”
“Stop playing games.”
“Ok, maybe not completely safe. His heart is bleeding, but that’s more your fault than mine.”
I pound my fist against his cage and the light flickers. “What did you do to him?” My voice carries across the open space. Nyrell’s head falls back as the laughter erupts.
I don’t wait for him to say anything else. I run for the door and back over the hill. I don’t stop to worry about running through the gang of guys. I hear them calling to me, but I grab the bike and pedal as fast as I can to Will’s place. My legs are burning before I run out of breath, but I can’t stop. Will may not have much time left if he has any at all, but I can’t think about that. I have to believe he is ok.
The house is dark when I reach his front yard, but that’s normal for this time of night. Will keeps a spare key in a hanging plant, so I quickly dig not worrying about sparing the plant. I will buy him a new one if he will just be ok. My fingers brush the cold metal, and after fighting with my shaking hand to shove the key in, I rush into his place.
It’s quiet, the only sound coming from the air conditioning unit. Please let him be sleeping, maybe this is all just a big joke Nyrell is pulling, a way to get under my skin. Maybe he knows a way out of the light cage and just needed me out of there. I would rather him escape than Will be hurt, or worse. “Will!” Silence. “Will!” I scream louder, and a lamp flickers on. He’s sitting in a recliner unharmed. At least the little bit of him I can see appears to be unharmed. “Will are you ok?” I rush over to him.
As he stands, I wrap my arms around him, never wanting to let go. But he doesn’t return the gesture. His hands stiffen by his side. Still, I don’t release my hold on him. “I’m fine Nadia, why are you here?” He pushes me away, his voice as cold as ice. “I just wanted to make sure you were ok.”
“Why Nadia? Because you think you’re so special I wouldn’t be able to get over you? That your rejection would bleed my heart?”
A chill creeps up my spine. Those are the same words Nyrell used. “Will?”
He steps forward closer to the lamp, illuminating the black smoke rising out of his chest. “I guess my heart is bleeding, just not in the sense you were thinking.”
“No.” It comes out as a whisper, but I’m screaming in my head. Aeryn was right. Hanna was right. I shuffle backward staring at the darkness surrounding his hands. He waves one in front of him, a gust of wind hits me like a ton of bricks sending me flying across the room.
I wake up, my head screaming in protest. I blink to clear my blurry vision. I’m sitting in Will’s recliner. The same recliner I stayed in for a week when I sprained my ankle, the same recliner I was sitting in when I needed help studying for my finals. I try to stand, but my hands and legs are trapped by little rings of black smoke. I wrestle with them when I notice Will sitting in a folding chair across from me.
“Don’t waste your effort, Nadia, it’s no use, you can’t break free. But fear not, I don’t want to hurt you. I just want to talk.”
I spit in his face. “How’s that for gripping conversation?”
He calmly walks over to the coffee table to clean his face with a tissue before returning to his chair. “I don’t want to hurt you Nadia, but I will if you force my hand.” I lean back in the chair, wanting to make as much space between us as possible. “You’ve been lied to Nadia, and I want to ensure you know the whole truth.”
“You think you have a right to talk about lies? You’ve been lying since the day I met you.”
“That’s not entirely accurate Nadia. I may have left one major detail out, but I was honest with you, for the most part, until your little light freak asked me why I had the pictures of you.”
“Yeah, you were just hunting me down. You’ve had so many chances to kill me, why haven’t you done it already?”
“I told you, Nadia, I don’t want you dead. And I only lied because I needed to know how many lies you had been led to believe before I could tell you everything.”
“Do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?”
“Let me tell you some of the facts your beloved mentor has been hiding from you. Then maybe you won’t be so quick to judge me.”
“Aeryn is the only person who has told me the truth.”
“Has he, though? Are you entirely certain?” His mouth quivers, threatening his emotionless stare.
“If you have something to say, just say it.” I continue to fight against my restraints, but it’s no use.
“Why don’t we start with the biggest lie. What did Aeryn say happened to your mother?”
I don’t want to play into his game, but I can’t help my curiosity. “She died. At the hands of her mentor.”
Will laughs softly. “Oh Nadia, your mother isn’t dead.”
“You’re lying,” I shout.
“No, I’m not.” Will remains calm.
“Then, where is she?”
“She’s where she belongs. With us.”
“No, she wasn’t a Nightmare. You’re still lying.”
“Your little boyfriend did have one thing right, her mentor played a big part in what happened. He was the one who helped her turn.”
“Shut up.” I take a deep breath as bile rises in my throat.
“I’m surprised your boy toy messed the story up so terribly, he was there. She turned right in front of him. Maybe it’s because he wanted your help to get revenge on her. Of course, the lie he fed you isn’t complete fiction, he just had the wrong
people.”
I laughed “If all of this is true, why would Aeryn want revenge on my mother?”
“Because of what actually happened. You mother wasn’t killed by her mentor. His parents were killed by his.”
“But my mother was his mentor.”
“That part he didn’t lie about.”
“She killed his parents,” I say it more to myself than him.
“Now you’re beginning to understand. And if he isn’t searching for revenge, why would he keep all of this from you? Your mother is exceptionally strong, and it’s reasonable to believe you will be as well. That’s why he wanted your help. All of your beloved Dreamcatchers believe you may be the only one who can defeat her. They lied to you so you would kill your own mother.”
This doesn’t make sense, none of it makes any sense. He has to be lying. Aeryn wouldn’t have told me my mother died if she didn’t. “You’re lying. My mother is dead.”
“Why would I lie to you Nadia, what would I possibly have to gain from lying to you about all of this?”
“To make me lose trust in them.”
“That’s going to happen whether I lie to you or not. The truth always has a way of coming out.”
I need to change the subject. I can’t talk about her anymore. “What’s your plan then, if you don’t want to kill me?”
“To bring you back where you belong.”
“You want to make me a Nightmare? That’s not going to happen. My light is too strong for that.”
“Is that what your boyfriend told you? Another lie, nobody’s light is too strong. He just wanted to put that in your head. It’s all about your choice. Free will Nadia, it’s up to you.”
“And what makes you think I belong as a Nightmare?”
“Because your mother has been missing you.”
“If what you’re saying is true and she isn’t dead, why didn’t she take me with her in the first place?”
“You were too young to make the choice you needed to make.”
“And what choice would that be? The choice to be evil?”
“Why do you so quickly assume that light is good and darkness is evil?”
“If you were good you wouldn’t be trying to take over the human world.”
“You’re so young and naive, Nadia. The world isn’t all black and white. That’s the problem with the Dreamcatchers, they don’t see the gray.”
“You want to say that the Nightmares are good? Why do you corrupt the beautiful dreams?”
“There’s so much you don’t understand.”
“Then help me to understand it.”
“Come with me, and we will explain everything.”
“I’m not going anywhere with you. How is it one chooses darkness?” I try to keep him talking.
“They have to make a sacrifice.”
“What kind of sacrifice?”
“Taking the life of another.” I laugh at the insanity of it all.
“You honestly believe all this crap you’re spewing, don’t you? I’m sorry to burst your bubble Will, but only bad guys sacrifice someone’s life.”
“Everyone is a bad guy until you hear their side of the story.”
“And you think you’re the hero in your story?” He nods. “You’re delusional. If you were, you wouldn’t be sacrificing the lives of innocent people.”
“All great things require a sacrifice. You mother understood that.”
“And Aeryn’s parents were my mother’s sacrifice?”
“Yes.”
“Why? Why would she choose to sacrifice the parents of the Nightstalker she was mentoring?”
“Because she didn’t want to sacrifice him. An unfortunate moment of weakness I must say. It would have been much more convenient for me if she had pulled the trigger on him.”
“Why would she care about him if she was choosing to become a Nightmare?”
“As I’ve been trying to tell you, we Nightmare’s aren’t evil, we still care. We still have feelings, and your mother couldn’t sacrifice him. She wants him to eventually join us as well.”
A forced chuckle escapes my lips. “If she wanted him to follow her, she should have never killed his parents, she should have chosen someone else.”
“But that wouldn’t have instilled darkness into him.”
“Her plan still didn’t work. All that did was fuel his hatred for the Nightmares.
“Personally, I’m happy to hear that. I never cared for the brat. He was always so righteous.”
“Does my father know? That my mother isn’t dead?” I need to steer the conversation away from Aeryn.
“I can’t be sure. He would feel the loss of her whether she died or not.”
“What does that mean?”
“Guardians feel the loss of their stalker when they die and when they become Nightmares.”
“That’s why she wanted him to take me away. Not because she wanted him to protect me, but because she wanted to make sure the Nightstalkers wouldn’t be the ones to raise me.”
“I can’t be sure of your mother’s reasons for that, but I do know she didn’t want any harm to come to you.”
“Is there anything you can be sure of?”
“A lot actually. My affection for you, Nadia, is sincere.”
“I don’t want to hear that. There’s still more answers I need.”
“What would you like to know?”
“Why did my mother choose to become a Nightmare?”
“Her mentor informed her of all the lies she had been told, how she had been deceived, and she made her choice.”
“So, her mentor brainwashed her and forced her into that decision.”
“No! She made that choice of her own free will.” For the first time during this whole conversation, he turns hostile and defensive. “All I did was show her the truth.”
“You? You were my mother’s mentor?”
He regains his composure. “Yes.”
“No, you can’t be. I saw a picture of him.” I squirm in the chair and feel the corner of the picture hit the arm. It’s still in my pocket.
“This is not the first shell I have occupied. To continue our work, I must change shells every now and then. This is why your boyfriend didn’t recognize me, although I believe he sensed me.”
“You’re the reason my mother chose darkness?”
“Yes, I am,” his words full of pride.
“You know what Will? I’m going to enjoy killing you.”
CHAPTER 15
WILL’S CALM DEMEANOR FALTERS. I’M getting to him. My light burns just under my skin, ready to attack, but I can’t angle my wrists enough to reach the smoke binding my hands. “I understand this must all come as quite a shock to you. I was hoping I would be able to explain everything before they got to you.”
“Then, why didn’t you? You had so many chances to tell me, but you never did.”
“You can thank Hanna for that. They sent her to you at such a young age, it was difficult for me to cause you any doubt with her. Little did I know simply telling you the truth would have done just what I needed.”
“I guess that’s too bad for you.” Swiveling my wrists, I try to destroy my bindings but am unable to reach my aim far enough, and the light strikes the chair next to my face. The bitter scent of burnt fabric floats around me.
“I guess I can’t blame you for trying in your disillusioned state.” He clenches his fist, and the darkness tightens its icy grasp on my wrists.
I struggle against it, but I’m pinned. “What exactly was your plan for me then? How were you going to convince me to choose darkness?”
“I thought going the romance route might work. I became your friend, and little by little worked my way into your heart, but I didn’t have enough time.”
“Is that how you convinced my mom to do it? You romanced her?” Bile rises in my throat.
“No. I was her mentor; she knew I wouldn’t lead her wrong. But, I also have Gideon to thank for assisting in her choices. He
made it easy for her to see how corrupt the Stalkers had become.”
“The Stalkers aren’t the ones corrupted.”
“Oh, to be so young and naive. You’ll learn one day soon, Nadia.”
“Then why don’t you enlighten me now. You can start with how you opened the portal.”
“That part was rather easy. I have you to thank for that.”
“Me? I didn’t open the portal.”
“No? But you sealed the deal with a kiss.”
“What are you talking about?”
“When I kissed you, I was able to take some of your light.” That ill feeling is taking root in my stomach again. “That little bit of light allowed me to open the portals.”
He said portals, as in plural. “Exactly how many portals are there?”
“Unfortunately, I cannot tell you that. Some information is privy only to those who have chosen the darkness.”
“You ask me to trust you, but you won’t trust me?”
“I would like to trust you Nadia, but I’m no idiot. There is too much at stake for me to be taking chances.”
“And let me guess, you can’t tell me what exactly is at stake either.”
“No, I cannot.”
“You realize how pathetic you are right? I wasn’t interested in you when I thought you were a human, and I’m sure as hell not interested in anything you have to say or offer now that I know what you really are.”
“Your mother will be truly disappointed. This wasn’t how we wanted this to go.”
Smoke billows from his hands as he quickly eliminates the space between us. Digging my heels into the floor, I push against the back of the chair but remain immobile. “Don’t touch me.” He moves his hands to my face, placing one on my forehead, and the other over my nose and mouth. I squeeze my lips and hold my breath. If I breathe, I breathe in darkness. My chest constricts as I squirm against the chair, trying to keep my mind preoccupied. It isn’t working.
The burning in my chest rises as I thrash my head back and forth trying to escape his grasp which only tightens. My vision grows dark, I can’t lose consciousness, but I can’t let the darkness in. I struggle with the lack of oxygen, but I can’t take anymore. My mouth betrays me, gasping for air. My fight is over. The darkness snakes its way through me like an icy fog bringing chills to my bones. I shiver against his hold. A high pitched squeal rings in my ears as my vision blurs. I think he’s saying something, but I can’t comprehend the words.
The Other Side of Dreams (Nighstalker Novels Book 1) Page 15